Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-06-23

paratively light. Aside from this we
shall soon have manufactures and a
great boom all around.
IT Is reported that the HesSian fly
and cut worm are destroying crops
throughout Illinois, in some places
vegetables, oats and grass are con-
sumed. The chinch bug is also at
work over large area that was infes-
ted last year in that state, and the
corn-root web-wOrm is also getting in
his fatal work.
THE reports that chinch bugs are
doing damage throughout the county,
by leaving the wheat and going into
the corn, are causing considerable I'M
easiness just now. AS Il general thing
though only that part of the corn fields
lying adioing wheat fields is being in
iured, and from the immense amount
of corn that has been planted we do
not think that the loss from chinch
bugs will be greatly felt.
EASTERN men often ask, when Wis
iting Great Bend, why are so many
buildings going up, and who will Occu-
py them? Why, bless you! don't you
know that there is not business block
going up but the owner has numerous
applications for its rooms as soon us
the foundation is III, and not Il dwell
ing house in course of erection but
some anxious family is ready and wait
ing to move irto it almost before
the plastering is dry? And it has been
that way here for the last two years
and will be so from now on until we
are called the pivotal cityof Kansas.
WHILE the mercury is trying to
crawl out at the top of the thermOme-
thr and painting humanity is wondering
how to escape the scOrching heat, the
anxious politician in Kentucky is har-
arguing the people, trying to show
them why he should be their servant in
preference to all others. Here in Kan
sas we have fixed our political season
and during these long, hot days the
politician may sleep and build air cas-
ties and prepare for the fall campaign.
1t really seems very strange to us that
any of the states should stick to the
old plan of having their elections in
August, when November is so much
more pleasant.
No COUNTRY in the world SO newly
settled as Kansas can boast of such
law-abiding, peaceful citizens. One of
the incidents of almost every newly
peopled country is the existence of a
class who openly and boldly put the
law at defiance. We are glad to say
that western Kansas, if it ever had
that class. is totally devoid of their
perniciOuS presence now. Barton cOulI-
ty has population of $4,000, or more.
and at Il term of district court which
has just closed only one culprit was
sentenced to the penitentiary, and he
for the short period of only one year
Few counties of equal size in any Of
the eastern states could make such an
enviable showing us this.
GREAT BEND, young as it is, has al
ready made Il most creditable showing
as center of learning. We have now
IL fine system of public schools where it
is possible for child to receive quite a
liberal education without cost. In adj
tlition to our public school, in which
the city feels pardonable pride, we
have the Central Kansas College, de-
nominational institution that gives
promise of great usefulness. 1t has
been open only year, yet, considering
all the circumstances, its friends feel
greatly encouraged. While our people
are intent on mOney-making they are
not neglectfui of those things which
tend to develop the intellect of the ris-
ing generation, and upon which they
expect to build the future glory of the
city.
THERE is now every Indication that
our unprecedented boom will continue
throughout the entire year. To most
people i'll the east it seems prepoSter-
Gus that so many towns are booming
in Kansas, and they look with sus-
picion on the many glowing reports
sent out from the towns in this valley,
the center of Kansas boom. These
eastern people should consider that we
have the finest agricultural country in
the world, that thousands of people
have been pouring in here for the past
three years and settling up this fertile
country. 1t is not at all remarkable 10
those acquainted with all the circum-